Andy Says It's Illegal; Is It?

 

Several seeking answers to the school bus/traffic problem have suggested private monitoring cameras at 6.5K per vehicle. These cameras are mounted on the prominent "Stop" sign that automatically extends when the vehicle stops to let anyone on or off, taking snaps of cars that run the sign.

How does the Stop Arm Camera System Work?
Step 1: Video cameras are installed on the front and rear driver’s side of a school bus.
Step 2: When the school bus stop arm is extended, the camera system is activated and automatically captures video footage of all vehicles passing the stopped bus.
Step 3: The high definition video is uploaded via a secure virtual private network to the RedSpeed® processing system. Still images are extracted from the video showing the vehicle passing the school bus along with a zoom shot of the vehicle’s license plate.
Step 4: After a comprehensive review process, the violation images and video are securely transmitted to the Police Department where a trained officer reviews the evidence package and either approves or rejects the violation.
Step 5: Once approved by law enforcement, a citation is issued and mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner.

Several Alabama cities already use this system. Fines are divided among police/school system/camera company. According to Dothan, the system is a win-win.

Are these Alabama towns doing something illegal? How is this different than the system used by our new parking meters?

Why is Andy Betterton so opposed to a solution that seems to have no downside?

*****